Influence of inhibitors of protein synthesis on interferon formation in mice

Abstract

The existence of preformed interferon in the tissues of intact animals has been clearly demonstrated by the experiments reported. This was shown by the finding that doses of puromycin or cycloheximide which effectively inhibited protein synthesis did not prevent the appearance of circulating interferon in mice injected with bacterial endotoxin. In contrast, interferon induction by Brucella abortus or NDV was eliminated by blockade of protein synthesis. Further evidence for the presence of preformed interferon in intact mice was provided by experiments in which only cycloheximide was injected. Effective blockade of protein synthesis was accompanied by the appearance in the circulation of significant amounts of a viral inhibitor which was indistinguishable from virus-induced interferon.